New Delhi, Delhi, India

The doyen of Indian cuisine, J Inder Singh Kalra, fondly known as Jiggs Kalra is no more. Known as the czar of Indian cinema, Kalra started his career as a journalist and in the 1980s became a food consultant. 

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He was one best-known names in the Indian culinary scenes and was responsible for putting in Indian cuisine on the world map. In his illustrious career, he has served the likes of Bill Clinton, Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also authored over 11 books on Indian cuisine, including 'Prashad', which is considered “the bible for chefs”.

The legend was a pioneer in his field. The first Asian to be inducted in the International Food and Beverage Gourmet Hall of Fame, he was also the first to conceptualise and host an Indian food-based television series. 

He launched restaurants like Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, Made in Punjab, Farzi Café and Pa Pa Ya.

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While there has been no official confirmation on his death from his family so far, Twitter was flooded with tributes for Kalra as journalist and food critic Vir Sanghvi broke the news on Twitter. 

"My deepest condolences to ⁦@ZorawarKalra⁩ & Dildeep.They were the best son & daughter-in-law Jiggs Kalra could ever have hoped for. At this sad time I remember how Zorawar kept his father’s legacy alive and turned Jiggs’s name into a global brand.I know how proud Jiggs was.(sic)"

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"Goodbye old friend.The great Jiggs Kalra who did so much to rediscover the lost secrets of Indian food and who gave chefs their rightful place in the sun goes off to that great kitchen in the sky to ensure that the gods eat his wonderful food.There will never be another Jiggs(sic)"

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Filmmaker Hansal Mehta too wrote a heartfelt tribute for Kalra. 

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There were others too who paid their tributes to the legend. 

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Kalra is survived by his son, Zorawar Kalra who runs Massive Restaurants Private Limited.